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Please see below for a listing of what the North Point Food & Beverage Team has been tracking this week. We hope that you find the content insightful and a nice way to summarize the most noteworthy Food & Beverage events of the week.
Have a nice holiday weekend!
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Glen Clarke
Head of Food & Beverage
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Keurig Dr Pepper to acquire JDE Peet's.
- Keurig Dr Pepper announced the USD 23bn acquisition of Dutch coffee company JDE Peet's this morning in a move that will precede a split of the combined company.
Source: Mergermarket
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Case Farms acquires Louisiana complex from Foster Farms.
- Poultry processor Case Farms recently reached an agreement to acquire the ownership of Foster Farms’ Farmerville, La., Complex.
Source: Meat + Poultry
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Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition sold to Balmoral Funds affiliate.
- An affiliate of Balmoral Funds LLC has acquired Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition, LLC, a leading provider of custom nutrition products in Pet, Aquaculture and Livestock markets, from Wilbur-Ellis Holdings II, LLC.
Source: Mergermarket
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Young American Food Brands taps Jefferies to explore sale.
- Young American Food Brands, a Miami-based meat processor, is exploring a sale alongside financial advisor Jefferies, according to four sources familiar with the situation.
Source: Mergermarket
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Coca-Cola hires Lazard to explore Costa sale – report.
- The Coca-Cola Company is believed to have appointed Lazard to handle discussions with potential buyers of the Costa coffee retail business, Sky News reported.
Source: Mergermarket
| | FOOD AND BEVERAGE MUSINGS | | |
4 food trends that could define the rest of 2025.
- Packaged food companies are facing declining sales from consumer pullbacks, inflation, and tariffs, forcing restructurings, layoffs, and selective asset sales; analysts expect continued low topline growth but some sequential improvement.
- Companies are pursuing midsize or niche acquisitions to gain presence in trendy categories (e.g., PepsiCo–Poppi, Hershey–LesserEvil, Ferrero–WK Kellogg), with scale-building through focused portfolios seen as more effective than broad diversification.
- Consumers are demanding functional ingredients for gut, mood, and brain health, while the “Make America Healthy Again” push is moving beyond artificial dyes toward scrutiny of ultraprocessed foods and additives, with upcoming Dietary Guidelines potentially reshaping federal nutrition programs.
Source: Food Dive
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CoBank: Beef demand remains high along with prices.
- CoBank research shows U.S. beef demand is at its strongest in decades, with the Q2 all-fresh retail beef demand index at a 25-year high; retail per capita beef consumption is expected to hit 60 lbs in 2025.
- Prices remain elevated: retail beef prices rose 9% YoY to $8.90/lb, but consumers continue to buy, driven by improved beef quality (95% grading Choice or higher), a taste for premium cuts, and protein demand linked to fitness trends and GLP-1 weight-loss medications.
- Tight cattle supply is the key constraint: USDA mid-year inventory (94.2M head) marked the lowest in 75 years, with analysts expecting strained supplies — and elevated retail prices — through at least 2026–2027.
Source: Meat + Poultry
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Here’s all the reasons for rising beef prices.
- U.S. cattle herd at a 75-year low (94.2M head), keeping supplies constrained through at least 2026–2027.
- Per capita consumption near 60 lbs in 2025, supported by protein trends, fitness focus, and GLP-1 use.
- 95% of beef grades Choice or higher; retail prices up 9% YoY to $8.90/lb, yet shoppers continue to pay for high-quality cuts.
Source: Meat + Poultry
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Hillshire Farms launches new lunch meat products.
- Hillshire Farms, a Tyson Foods brand, introduced Sandwich Style Lunch Meats in three new flavors: Hot Honey Ham, Jalapeño Ranch Turkey Breast, and Pepperoni.
- The products are positioned as versatile, suitable for flatbreads, wraps, charcuterie boards, or pizza toppings, expanding on Hillshire’s classic lineup like Oven Roasted Turkey Breast and Black Forest Ham.
- The new flavors will be available in select retailers nationwide.
Source: Meat + Poultry
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General Mills invests $54M in innovation hub for next generation of products.
- General Mills is investing $54 million to expand its James Ford Bell Technical Center near Minneapolis, adding a 35,000 sq. ft. wing that increases pilot plant space by 20% and boosts R&D capacity.
- The expansion aims to accelerate development of products tied to key consumer trends such as high-protein foods and spicier flavors, while giving teams more flexibility to innovate.
- The investment comes as the company faces flat sales growth, cost pressures, and restructuring efforts, but signals its intent to stay competitive by launching next-generation, consumer-centric products.
Source: Food Dive
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Pete & Gerry’s launches latest organic, pasture-raised eggs.
- Pete & Gerry’s launched Organic Pasture Raised Eggs, with each hen given at least 108 sq. ft. of pasture; eggs are positioned as nutrient-rich and aligned with animal welfare and sustainability values.
- The company, Certified Humane since 2003 and B Corp since 2013 (recertified in 2025), emphasizes supporting family farms and responsible sourcing amid industry challenges like avian influenza outbreaks.
- USDA recently updated definitions of “free range” vs. “pasture-raised” claims to better match consumer expectations, adding clarity to premium egg marketing.
Source: Meat + Poultry
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Chomps rolls into Austin with Protein Pit Stop.
- Chomps launched its Protein Pit Stop pop-up in Austin, TX, styled as a retro gas station to mark back-to-school season and engage consumers with an immersive brand experience.
- The event featured car tidying, a Snack Zone stocked with Chomps meat sticks, and branded entertainment to emphasize convenience and “real protein with zero compromises.”
- The weekend activation drew 1,000+ attendees and serviced 120+ cars, leaving participants with free samples and branded swag.
Source: Meat + Poultry
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Danone to spend millions on Ohio plant expansion amid ‘explosive growth’ in yogurt.
- Danone is investing millions to expand its Minster, Ohio plant with a 48,000 sq. ft. addition, new production line, and upgrades, creating 30 full-time jobs.
- The move supports surging demand for yogurt, with Oikos sales up 40% in 2024, and follows new launches like Oikos drinks for GLP-1 users and entry into the $7B protein shake market.
- The expansion will boost Danone’s milk purchases by 60% over the next few years, working with current and new local farms; Danone sources 90% of its ingredients and packaging in the U.S. and employs ~5,000 workers across 13 plants in 10 states.
Source: Food Dive
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How Celsius is building on brand campaign success with college football.
- Celsius expanded its “Live. Fit. Go” campaign into college football, unveiling a NIL roster of athletes from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson, alongside a national spot highlighting game day energy.
- The brand is investing more heavily in new channels like NFL broadcasts and broader media buys, building on strong early campaign results and Q2 revenue growth of 9%.
- Beyond sports, Celsius is leveraging music festivals, celebrity partnerships (e.g., Kelsea Ballerini), and F1 sponsorships to reach women and Gen Z consumers, while targeting 50/50 gender parity and expanding cultural relevance following its $1.8B Alani Nu acquisition.
Source: Food Dive
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HHS, CDC confirm human New World screwworm case in the United States.
- HHS and CDC confirmed the first U.S. human case of travel-associated New World screwworm (NWS) after a patient returned from El Salvador; officials emphasized the overall public health risk remains very low.
- USDA initiated targeted surveillance in a 20-mile radius covering parts of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia; as of Aug. 26, all traps tested negative.
- Industry reactions diverged: R-CALF criticized selective early notifications and called for a task force, while NCBA stated protocols worked effectively, and no elevated livestock risk is currently seen.
Source: Meat + Poultry
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Campbell’s and Pabst Blue Ribbon crack open beer-infused flavored soups – Food Dive
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